n.

1. A row of closely planted shrubs or low-growing trees forming a fence or boundary.

2. A line of people or objects forming a barrier: a hedge of spectators along the sidewalk.

4. An intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement.

5. A word or phrase, such as possibly or I think, that mitigates or weakens the certainty of a statement.

v.tr.

1. To enclose or bound with or as if with hedges.

2. To hem in, hinder, or restrict with or as if with a hedge.

3. To minimize or protect against the loss of by counterbalancing one transaction, such as a bet, against another.

v.intr.

1. To plant or cultivate hedges.

2. To take compensatory measures so as to counterbalance possible loss.

3. To avoid making a clear, direct response or statement.